Drug peddler sentenced to 60 months

On May 30, 2017, Clayton W. Marsh was sentenced to 60 months following a two-day trial.

The sentence stems from two investigations spearheaded by Sergeant Lucas McLain of the Harney County Sheriff’s Office.

In August of 2015, a concerned citizen contacted the Harney County Sheriff’s Office regarding a message received via Facebook from Marsh. Marsh was offering methamphetamine in exchange for sexual acts. Sergeant McLain commenced an investigation and developed a case against Marsh. The investigation culminated when Marsh was caught delivering methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of Burns High School.

Marsh was charged with promoting prostitution, commercial sexual solicitation, unlawful delivery of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school and unlawful possession of methamphetamine. Harney County Deputy District Attorney Ryan Hughes presented the case to a 12-person Harney County jury. On May 30, the jury found Marsh guilty of commercial sexual solicitation, unlawful delivery of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school, and unlawful possession of methamphetamine. Per Oregon Sentencing Guidelines, Marsh was sentenced to 45-months in custody, followed by 60-months post-prison supervision.

In October of 2015, Sergeant McLain was notified of improper communications between the 35-year-old Marsh and a 13-year-old girl. McLain determined the identity of the juvenile and reviewed the Facebook communications. Again, Marsh was offering the girl methamphetamine in exchange for sexual acts and shared inappropriate photos of himself with the minor.

Harney County Deputy District Attorney Hughes prosecuted the case. Marsh was charged with rape in the second degree, online sexual corruption of a child in the second degree and luring a minor. After the aforementioned jury trial, Marsh pleaded guilty to online sexual corruption of a child in the second degree, which will require Marsh to register as a sex offender. Per Oregon Sentencing Guidelines, Marsh was sentenced to 30-months in custody, with 15 months to run concurrent with prior sentence, followed by 24-months post-prison supervision.